PLAYER OF THE GAME

It's no hyperbole. On Saturday night, the 49ers' Colin Kaepernick further redefined the quarterback position. He's not the first quarterback to run and pass at will. But the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Kaepernick overcame an early pick-six to truly have a playoff performance for the ages. The read-option offense drove Green Bay mad. He gunned passes into tight windows with accuracy, converting a string of third downs to keep drives alive. And whenever there was a sliver of open acreage, he found it. Kaepernick finished with 263 passing yards, 181 rushing yards and four touchdowns. The 181 is an NFL record for a quarterback. There have been young, run/pass playmaking quarterbacks before him. Washington's Robert Griffin III and Carolina's Cam Newton both seemed to be the young quarterbacks changing the position for parts of the last two years. But against the Packers, Kaepernick proved he's something different. On the big stage, he was unstoppable.

MISSING IN ACTION

Granted, the read option remains fairly new in today's NFL. But it's not totally new. The Packers were not prepared for the tsunami that hit them Saturday night at Candlestick Park. They lost contain, were a step slow and - all in all - could not slow down Kaepernick. After getting burned on a 56-yard touchdown in the second half, outside linebacker Erik Walden was benched. It appeared he didn't know Kaepernick had the ball. Part of the problem seemed to be Green Bay's scheme on defense, part of the problem was players simply losing track of Kaepernick. Green Bay's linebackers were a step behind most of the night. Don't be surprised if after tonight, many more teams seek athletic quarterbacks to run the option.

WHAT IF. . .

More of a big picture "what if" here. What if the 49ers never made the move to Kaepernick? Coach Jim Harbaugh made a franchise-changing decision midway through the season by benching Alex Smith - the proven quarterback who took this team within overtime of a Super Bowl - for a second-year player from Nevada's pistol offense. That's risky. Not many coaches would actually pull the trigger. And now that colossal gamble has positioned San Francisco for short-term and long-term success. If Harbaugh had not made this decision, would the 49ers still be a threat in the NFC? Probably not. Smith was good under Harbaugh. Kaepernick can be great.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

After Jeremy Ross muffed a punt that led to a Niners touchdown, Randall Cobb instantly replaced him on a kick return.

Wide receiver Donald Driver was active for the Packers and saw action inside on punt returns.

San Francisco defensive end Justin Smith (triceps) played with a bulky black brace over his arm and held up well up front.

Kaepernick drew a taunting penalty after one run when he immediately flicked the ball to the ground and stared down at Walden.

Running back James Starks was active for the first time in several weeks but was not a factor in Green Bay's offense.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers took a moment before the game to greet Alex Smith at midfield.

About Tyler Dunne

Tyler Dunne covers the Green Bay Packers. He has been on the beat since 2011, winning awards with the Pro Football Writers of America and Milwaukee Press Club.